Update: Downes is now distancing himself from his earlier statement and denying that he has insider knowledge of an imminent re-release of Halo 2.

"What I said was: 'I think you're ahead of yourself on H5. I have read some things online that you can look forward to a H2 anniversary edition maybe this year, but I have no official information one way or the other,'" Downes told IGN. "I was just mentioning some of the things I had read online about Halo 2. I have no idea if there will be an anniversary edition and didn't mean to leave that impression."

Original:

A high-definition re-release of Halo 2 may appear later this year, if an interview with long-time Master Chief voice actor Steven Downes is to be believed.

Gamezone spoke to Downes, hoping to elicit some information on the next Halo sequel, but instead received unexpected confirmation of a game that previously existed only in rumors. "I think you may be ahead of yourself on Halo 5," Downes told Gamezone. "I wouldn't expect anything until 2015. What you can look forward to this year is an anniversary edition of Halo 2."

If Downes' statement is accurate, it seems likely that Halo 2 would receive the same treatment its predecessor saw in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. That game added new, high-definition visuals as well as a more modern multiplayer component to the classic Halo singleplayer campaign.

There's currently no word on when this "anniversary edition of Halo 2" might appear. Representatives at Microsoft have refused to comment on Downes' statement.